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- Cybersecurity Acceleration Program
- Call for Journal articles and case studies
- Hong Kong PlugFest Highlights
- PlugFest Registration is now open
- Why BTL Certification
- TBI Resource Corner
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Welcome to the newest edition of the Cornerstones newsletter from BACnet International. The BACnet International community benefits from information and education shared through Cornerstones, the organization's monthly electronic publication. This publication is distributed to members of the BACnet International community, connecting corporate, integrator, site, student, and individual users to BACnet news and updates. Cornerstones is a unique publication because it speaks not only to the engineer and contractor communities, but also to facility professionals, building managers and owners, and other personnel.
This is where you come in. We need you to connect! If you have company news, product news, BACnet Case Study, or a best practice you want to share, please send them to us using the form below. And don't leave out the photos! Read past Cornerstones and Case Studies.
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Join our Cybersecurity Acceleration Program,
the next phase of BACnet/SC!
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The cost of the program is on average less than one engineer's weekly pay. BACnet International Corporate Members receive a discount. | |
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The BACnet/SC Interoperability Acceleration Program helped suppliers jumpstart BACnet/SC product development. BACnet International’s new Cybersecurity Acceleration Program will help suppliers efficiently generate, exchange, and manage these files, significantly simplifying system integration.
The program will provide a complete Certificate Authority reference implementation and a sister tool (BACCARI) that can generate and validate Certificate Signing Request files and package them into an interoperable file format for the Certificate Authority. Additionally, all program participants will have access to cybersecurity implementation webinars and an interactive, peer-to-peer forum led by experts in BACnet and cybersecurity.
Participation in the program will help suppliers ensure their certificate management tools are interoperable with tools from other suppliers. This will keep integration costs down and maintain their reputation as collaborative participants in multivendor environments. The program will also shorten the learning curve for manufacturers who need cybersecurity implementation experts on staff and help ensure their products are ready for whatever comes next in building automation cybersecurity.
The first program webinar is available to watch on YouTube. The BETA version of the BACCARI tool was recently made available to all paid program registrants. Program registrants also gain access to our instructional video series.
Program Cost:
Corporate Members: $5,000
Non-members: $10,600 (includes a Silver Membership to BACnet International, view BACnet International Member Benefits)
The Cybersecurity Acceleration Program is FREE to all educational institutions.
After the program ends, the cost of program contents will increase to $6,500 for Corporate Members and $7,500 for non-members.
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These companies and educational institutions have already joined the Cybersecurity Acceleration Program. For more information, see below or contact David Nardone, Membership and Education Manager, at david@bacnetinternational.org. | |
Registration is open for PlugFest! Take advantage of the
Early Bird Discount!
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Join us September 24th - 26th and test the interoperability and implementation methods of your BACnet products. | |
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PlugFest is an annual interoperability workshop that allows vendors to test their products in a friendly and neutral environment. The event provides opportunities to improve BACnet implementations and testing methods. Mark your calendars! This year’s PlugFest will be held September 24th - 26th at the University of New Hampshire’s Interoperability Lab in Durham, NH. The BTL-WG meeting will be held on September 23rd. Corporate Members and BACnet International volunteers receive discounts on registration. Register by July 1st to receive the Early Bird Discount, $50/attendee.
Benefits:
- Test the interoperability of your company’s BACnet products with the BACnet products of other vendors in a friendly and neutral environment.
- Fix implementation errors before they are discovered in the field.
- The BTL Technical Advisor and other BACnet experts will be onsite to assist and answer questions.
- Education opportunities are available.
- Network with fellow engineers and developers.
Available discounts:
$450.00 USD for Corporate Members
$50.00 USD for 2023 Volunteers
$50.00 USD for Early Bird Registrants
Registration costs:
Member Rate: $750.00 USD
Member Rate with Volunteer Discount: $700.00 USD
Member Rate with Early Bird Discount: $700.00 USD
Member Rate with Volunteer and Early Bird Discount: $650.00 USD
Non-Member Rate: $1,200.00 USD
Non-Member Rate with Volunteer Discount: $1,150.00 USD
Non-Member Rate with Early Bird Discount: $1,150.00 USD
Non-Member Rate with Volunteer and Early Bird Discounts: $1,100.00 USD
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Call for articles and
BACnet case studies:
Journal of Building Automation
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Now accepting abstracts and ad placements for Issue 26. | |
BACnet International is now accepting article and advertisement reservations for the Fall 2024 issue of the Journal of Building Automation. The Journal covers updates, developments, stories, and news on the BACnet protocol as well as the wider building automation industry as a whole. | | |
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Article Abstract Submission
& Ad Order Deadline:
Friday, August 23rd
Deadline for Article Content
& Ad Artwork:
Friday, September 13th
Publication date
Friday, October 25th
Contact:
Mary Catherine Heard
BACnet International
Communications Manager
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If you have an article topic or case study you think would be of interest, get in touch with us to reserve your placement! Send a short article abstract by Friday, August 23rd to marycatherine@bacnetinternational.org.
Possible article topics include:
· BACnet Security
· Smart Buildings
· BAS Integration
· Building Automation and more!
To view past Journals, visit bacnetinternational.org/journals.
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Issue #26 will be printed and distributed at the AHR Expo in Orlando next year. Each year BACnet International presents multiple educational sessions at the AHR Expo. Articles chosen for journal publication will be considered to be part of BACnet International’s AHR Expo education session slate. | |
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Plugfest in Hong Kong
spotlights BACnet/SC and
BTL Certifications
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Content provided by
Cecil Man, Hensen System Engineering Ltd.
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Hong Kong's Electrical & Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and ASHRAE Hong Kong Chapter hosted a well-attended Plugfest held at HKPC Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Centre (Futian) April 25th - 26th. Seven vendors, including Siemens and Delta Controls, and over 20 participants from Hong Kong and Mainland China participated in the event.
Plugfest is an interoperability workshop that allows vendors to carry out testing on their products in a friendly and neutral environment. This event aims to provide opportunities to promote BACnet implementations and facilitate interoperability testing of products from different vendors. The event was divided into two sessions:
· April 25th Seminar (pm)
· April 25th Plugfest Testing Sessions (am & pm).
April 25th - Seminar:
The seminar was divided into two sessions delivered by Mr. Bernhard Isler and two representatives from HKPC respectively. Mr. Bernhard Isler, an Independent Technology Consultant from BACnet Committee – SSPC 135, focused on the application and connection of BACnet Secure Connect (“BACnet/SC”). He discussed the network security concepts and IT convergence and compatibility and demonstrated examples of installation scenarios.
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Figure 1: BACnet/SC seminar by Mr. Bernhard Isler. | Mr. Herman Chow, HKPC, presented on BTL Certification and the importance of the BTL Mark in Greater China and Hong Kong. He highlighted the importance of the BTL Mark and BTL Certification. He also discussed the application process for BTL Certification, which involves testing with a Recognized BACnet Testing Organization (RBTO). HKPC is set to become the first RBTO in Greater China. Additionally, Mr. Kristopher Wong, HKPC, briefly discussed the testing process required to achieve BTL Certification. | |
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Figure 2: BTL Certification seminar
by Mr. Herman Chow
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Figure 3: BTL Certification and test plan seminar by Mr. Kristopher Wong | |
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Plugfest - April 26th:
After the seminar, attendees participated in Plugfest testing sessions. Mr. Pei Qiang Gu, Plugfest Expert from Delta Controls Inc., hosting the testing sessions allowing participants to test the interoperability of their products in a vibrant atmosphere. The participants were enthusiastic to have the opportunity to test their products with the products of other vendors and learn first-hand about the importance of the BACnet standard.
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Figure 4 Mr. Pei Qiang Gu hosted the Plugfest. | |
Figure 5 Plugfest attendees participate in a testing session. | |
Moreover, HKPC provided preliminary compliance tests to vendors, allowing them to test with the most current BTL tests according to the test plan as well as conduct performance tests and durability tests of the controllers. They also introduced a complimentary testing tool to enable vendors to conduct preliminary tests at their convenience. | |
Figure 6 HKPC provided a preliminary test. | |
The comprehensive seminar delivered by Mr. Isler, Mr. Chow and Mr. Wong was well received and gave attendees a better understanding of BACnet/SC and BTL Certification in the Greater China Area. The Plugfest testing, guided by Mr. Gu, was an interactive process that provided a thorough understanding of BACnet interoperability. The ASHRAE Hong Kong Chapter extended its heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Bernhard Isler and Mr. Pei Qiang Gu for providing their expertise and to EMSD and HKPC for co-organizing the events. | |
Why obtain BTL Certification
for your BACnet products?
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BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) oversees the global BACnet product certification program and other interoperability testing activities. BTL Certification provides users with confidence that a product has passed the industry standard BACnet conformance tests conducted by a recognized, independent testing organization. Many building owners and control system designers consider BTL Certification to be a must-have to be eligible for a project. BACnet products that have successfully completed compliance testing are eligible for BTL Certification. Certified products are listed in the BTL Listing of Tested Products which contains over 1,375 products from over 225 manufacturers. | |
User and Building Owner/Operator Benefits: | |
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Lower Integration Cost: BTL Certified products accelerate and lower the cost of system integration. As such, it is becoming commonplace for specifications to require BTL Certification to be eligible to bid on a project.
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Less Integration Risk: Reliance on BTL Certified products lowers the risk of integration problems and the project delays and cost-overruns. Also provides a solid foundation for future system enhancements and extensions.
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Interoperability Assurance in a Multi-Vendor Environment: The tests are designed to validate that the product correctly implements a specified set of BACnet features. The specific BACnet features tested in a product with a BTL Mark are detailed in the BTL listing associated with that product and ensure that the products integrate seamless.
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Benefits for Manufacturers and Suppliers Benefits: | |
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Improved Product Quality & Performance: The BACnet specification is large and complex. Even the best development teams can misinterpret some detail of the protocol or introduce a subtle implementation error. The rigorous testing associated with obtaining the right to use the BTL Mark is a powerful methodology for ensuring such errors are found and eliminated before a product reaches the market.
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Reduced Costs & Liability: Resolving interoperability problems in a multi-vendor environment during BACnet system integration can be expensive and potentially discouraging for customers. In the event of an interoperability problem between a product with BTL Certification and one without it, a common assumption is the product without is at fault. Whether it is or not, the burden of finding and resolving the problem tends to weigh most heavily on the manufacturer that has not demonstrated compliance through the BTL Certification program. Earning the BTL Certification reduces the risk of BACnet implementation errors causing interoperability problems and minimizes the associated costs.
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Greater Buyer Confidence and Opportunity to Bid: BTL Certification provides buyers with assurance that a product has passed the industry standard BACnet conformance tests conducted by a recognized, independent testing organization. This increases buyer confidence in both the product and its manufacturer, which is especially important when a manufacturer is seeking new business.
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Are you using the
BTL Mark correctly?
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The BTL Mark provides users with confidence that a product has passed the industry standard BACnet conformance tests conducted by a recognized, independent testing organization. The BTL Mark is a mark of distinction, achieved by more than 1,365 products, that many building owners and control system designers consider a must-have to be eligible for a project.
The BTL Mark is trademarked and its use is strictly regulated. Products that have been successfully tested by a Recognized BACnet Testing Organization (RBTO) and successfully received the BTL Certification are eligible to display the BTL Mark as part of the listing process. Use of the mark is subjected to the following guidelines.
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Every month, BACnet International will highlight a resource from The BACnet Institute (TBI) Resource Library! | |
This month's featured TBI resource is "BACnet 101," presented by Edward Tom, Yaskawa America. This session will teach you about the basic building blocks and design philosophy that have made, and continue to make, BACnet so popular. Learn how BACnet can help you now and into the future as the Building Internet of Things (B-IoT) continues to grow. | |
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The BACnet Institute (TBI) is an online portal for BACnet-focused learning and knowledge sharing. It provides an easy path to BACnet information and learning for everyone involved with BACnet systems. The portal includes three on-demand FREE courses and over 200 resources including white papers, articles, presentations, and a community forum. TBI Resources are free, but registration for an account is required. Courses are eligible for CEUs and PDHs.
Each year TBI continues to grow. Since its launch in January 2017, over 10,000 registered users across more than 80 countries have accessed its resources. TBI’s simple search function allows users to get quick access to anything they need.
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For BACnet International Corporate Members, if you have any news concerning one of your BTL listed products, case studies or company news stories, let us know and we will be glad to include it in Cornerstones! All submissions should be sent to Mary Catherine Heard, BACnet International's Communications Manager, at marycatherine@bacnetinternational.org.
Please ensure that we are included in your distribution lists for product and company news release as well.
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Samsung HVAC America Champions Sustainability, Introducing A2L Refrigerants for a Greener Future | |
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Roanoke, TX: Samsung HVAC America is proud to introduce a new and improved line of environmentally friendly HVAC systems utilizing R-32 and R-454B refrigerants for products sold in the United States and Canada.
“Samsung has seamlessly integrated R-32 refrigerant into its global product lineup since 2017, initially debuting in our European market,” said Victor Gomez, Chief Operating Officer at Samsung HVAC America. This continued evolution represents a logical progression for Samsung HVAC America, and it reinforces Samsung’s global commitment to environmental sustainability by introducing products with low global Warming Potential [GWP] refrigerants to directly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.”
The shift from R-410A to R-32 refrigerant will span across all Samsung HVAC product lines, excluding Hylex™ models, which will feature R-454B refrigerant. “The Hylex™ was designed to be a direct replacement for a traditional cooling-only or heat pump unitary outdoor unit,” stated Gomez. “With many unitary manufacturers transitioning their products to R-454B refrigerant, we’re confident this decision will future-proof system compatibility, solidifying the Hylex™’s position as a competitive force in the market.”
Single-phase products will start to arrive at Samsung HVAC America’s warehouses in Q4 and will continue throughout 2025, in accordance with the most recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) timeline.
Both R-454B and R-32 refrigerants are renowned for their superior performance and significantly lower GWP compared to traditional hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. This advancement marks a significant step forward in Samsung HVAC America’s journey toward sustainability and reinforces its position as a leader in eco-conscious HVAC solutions.
For more information about Samsung HVAC and its commitment to sustainability, please visit www.samsunghvac.com.
About Samsung HVAC America
Samsung performs in the HVAC industry globally with business operations in 48 countries. Samsung HVAC America is growing the Samsung residential and commercial air conditioning business in the United States and Canada by building, training, and supporting a network of specifying representatives, distributors, and installers. For more information about Samsung HVAC, visit www.samsunghvac.com.
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Mitsubishi Electric Recognized
by Guinness World Records
for the fastest robot to solve
a puzzle cube
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Record achieved with high-speed, high-precision FA equipment and control technology
TOKYO, May 23, 2024 – Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it has been awarded the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the fastest robot to solve a puzzle cube using a robot equipped with high-speed, high-precision factory automation (FA) equipment and control technology. The robot’s time of 0.305 second beat the previous record of 0.38 second, for which Mitsubishi Electric received a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS certificate on May 21.
The TOKUI Fast Accurate Synchronized motion Testing Robot (TOKUFASTbot) named by its engineer can perform a 90º rotation time of 0.009 second thanks to its rotation mechanism, which is built with Mitsubishi Electric’s compact, high-power, signal-responsive servomotors and a color-recognition algorithm developed with proprietary AI technology. In addition, the servomotors, programmable controller, industrial PC, touch panel display and cameras are all designed to achieve high-speed signal connection and inter-device control. A video showing the robot solving a puzzle cube taken on May 7 is available on Mitsubishi Electric - Global channel.
Yuji Yoshimura, Senior General Manager, Component Production Engineering Center, Mitsubishi Electric said, “Since establishing our Component Production Engineering Center in 2016, we have been developing and manufacturing high-tech motors, power semiconductors and related products. To demonstrate our technical capabilities in achieving high-speed, high-precision windings, which are key to increasing the productivity and efficiency of motors used in many of our products, our young engineers voluntarily worked to set the world record, resulting in a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title, which has motivated our engineers to further develop their technical skills. We will continue to take on exciting challenges using the technology we have cultivated in motor development to support global manufacturing.”
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LG Strengthens Position in Commercial HVAC Market With Its Efficient, Large-Capacity Chiller | |
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The HVAC business, emerging as a new growth engine for the company, is actively driving global sales of LG chillers. This is accomplished by targeting not only new battery and material manufacturing plants but also established facilities like nuclear power plants. Recently, LG secured a significant contract to supply chillers for a state-of-the-art battery plant being built in North America.
According to LG’s market research, the global chiller market is anticipated to grow by six percent annually until 2027. LG’s goal is to more than double its HVAC product sales by 2030, positioning itself as a top-tier global provider of both residential and commercial HVAC solutions, both of which continue to play a crucial role in LG’s B2B sector success. Commercial chillers are expected to make a meaningful contribution to the expansion of LG’s HVAC business.
LG chillers, equipped with an array of innovative technologies, offer not only great performance and energy efficiency but are also cost-effective in terms of maintenance. By integrating advanced heat pump technology and employing high-efficiency compressors and heat exchangers, LG’s advanced chillers provide reduced energy consumption and operational expenses compared to conventional chiller products.*
The LG Inverter Scroll Chiller, one of LG’s notable chillers, is an efficient heat pump system that supplies water and provides heating and cooling for commercial facilities. It utilizes R32 refrigerant, which boasts a global warming potential (GWP) only a third to a quarter of that of R410 refrigerant. Designed with easy maintenance in mind, LG chillers feature a number of simple-to-replace components and offer convenient access to streamline the inspection process.
Already well-established in Asia, LG’s chiller business is expanding internationally, increasing its presence in the Middle East, Europe and Central and South America in response to rising demand. The company has an advantage in the HVAC industry thanks to its sophisticated core technologies, which include key components such as compressors and motors. Additionally, LG is proactively investing in research and development, with a focus on essential HVAC technologies including heat exchangers, inverters and heat pumps.
“We are committed to delivering efficient cooling systems that leverage our proprietary HVAC technologies to present exceptional performance and value to our global customers,” said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “LG will continue to expand its presence in the global HVAC market with differentiated solutions including chillers, aligned with the latest trends in electrification and decarbonization.”
* Compared to previous 1-stage LG chillers, LG chillers adopt magnetic/air bearings (oil-free) with VSD drive, customized impeller and falling-film heat exchanger with high efficiency, increasing non-standard part load efficiency (NPLV) up to 91 percent based on GB Standard Condition, 500RT. Employing oil-free technology and fewer moving parts has helped reduce the operation cost of LG chillers up to 36 percent.
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Congratulations to the following
BACnet International Corporate Members who have achieved BTL Certification!
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Congratulations to our Platinum Members | |
Corporate Affiliate Members | | | | |
